https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Sat, 20 Apr 2024 12:47:53 +0000 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-ministry-and-mental-health A large number of young people suffer from mental illness. As such, it's paramount that to take the time and space to address these issues in the context of youth ministry.  Sarah Gibes https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-ministry-and-mental-health Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-pastors-ditch-gross-out-games-and-help-student-ministry A recent Christianity Today article highlighted something I've been pondering for a while. Namely, that what we have been doing progmatically in youth ministry may not be producing the desired results when it comes to lifelong faith formation. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-pastors-ditch-gross-out-games-and-help-student-ministry Thu, 20 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/all-ontario-youth-convention-2023 In conversations with youth, parents, and leaders over the past few years, we know that so many teens are asking questions about what really matters. How is faith still relevant in a world where so much is rapidly changing? Does Christian community mean anything? Natasha Moes https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/all-ontario-youth-convention-2023 Wed, 18 Jan 2023 01:36:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-unlimited-becomes-thereforego-ministries Youth Unlimited wants to share some exciting news with you! As of Tuesday, September 1, 2020, Youth Unlimited has officially changed its name to ThereforeGo Ministries. Thereforego Ministries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-unlimited-becomes-thereforego-ministries Thu, 10 Sep 2020 13:06:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-ministry-maintenance-now-right-time Every six weeks I go to my chiropractor for an adjustment. But it wasn’t that long ago that I never went and on one wonky Thursday evening, I made a ridiculous decision that messed up my core for an extended period of time. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-ministry-maintenance-now-right-time Tue, 02 Jul 2019 13:11:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/steve-and-every-kid On the surface, November 2 seemed to be another ordinary night of ministry. My team was excited and nervous for the high schoolers that would soon bombard the Parson’s basement. But we were prepared for anything—or so we thought. Chris Curia https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/steve-and-every-kid Wed, 17 Apr 2019 16:44:24 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/1000000-or-name An RCA colleague of mine and I were just in Pasadena California attending a symposium hosted by the Fuller Youth Institute looking at the future of the church. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/1000000-or-name Thu, 13 Dec 2018 14:26:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/why-serve I participated in SERVE as a worksite supervisor for the three years my church hosted SERVE, and I can tell you that there are many good reasons to participate in SERVE. ThereforeGo Ministries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/why-serve Thu, 19 Jul 2018 15:00:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/why-use-youth-unlimited Life Changing – the single most important thing that can happen in a student’s life is that they form a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ and commit to living for him. ThereforeGo Ministries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/why-use-youth-unlimited Tue, 17 Jul 2018 20:04:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-unlimited-has-new-executive-director Youth Unlimited is pleased to announce that Rick Zomer has been selected as their next Executive Director. Rick comes to Youth Unlimited from the RCA where he served as the Director of Next Generation Engagement, and before that he served in several leadership roles at Calvin College over a Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-unlimited-has-new-executive-director Wed, 21 Feb 2018 14:07:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/dear-teenager-heart-youth-director-their-students Dear Teenager, Austin Burke https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/dear-teenager-heart-youth-director-their-students Tue, 19 Sep 2017 12:51:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/social-media-and-protecting-teenage-heart-covenant-life-church Last summer I visited my childhood best friend who had recently moved into a new home. As she was unpacking she found a box filled with notes from High School. The notes were written on notebook paper and folded with the name written on the front of most. Sandra Mast https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/social-media-and-protecting-teenage-heart-covenant-life-church Mon, 15 May 2017 14:39:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/resolve-lose-some-post-christmas-ministry-weight-and-gain-new Truth be told, September always feels more like the beginning of a New Year to me than January ever has. September was always my time for resolutions: to study more efficiently and effectively or to start a better exercise program. Lesli van Milligen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/resolve-lose-some-post-christmas-ministry-weight-and-gain-new Wed, 11 Jan 2017 15:56:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-ministry-keeping-it-simple Whether you are a paid staff or volunteering, there is a lot of pressure when leading a youth ministry. Some of these pressures include planning a weekly curriculum, worrying about the youth relating to the material, or finding connection points with the youth we are ministering to. Kevin Lobert https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-ministry-keeping-it-simple Thu, 15 Dec 2016 15:34:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/keeping-perspective-while-trenches I get it. You are swamped in your youth ministry work. There is no shortage of events to plan, lessons to prepare, and visits to make—all within the limited time you have around work and family.  Marc Hoogstad https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/keeping-perspective-while-trenches Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:12:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-ministry-when-you-have-bad-night So I just need to hear what I already know to be true. Bad nights happen to everyone...right? I am new to the job and just when I think I have them all figured out, a new school year begins and my students change a bit. Seniors leave and sixth graders join us. Gin Pul https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-ministry-when-you-have-bad-night Mon, 29 Aug 2016 13:04:52 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/dont-let-me-miss-what-youre-doing Notice that I capitalized "YOU'RE"? That, of course, is me referencing God. Austin Burke https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/dont-let-me-miss-what-youre-doing Thu, 14 Apr 2016 04:21:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/best-time-wake . . .is when you start your day with Jesus! I bet you thought I was going for the Folgers theme didn't you? Ha, tricked you!  Austin Burke https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/best-time-wake Wed, 06 Apr 2016 17:52:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/how-do-you-start-meaningful-conversations-teens Are you a church leader who has struggled to spark conversation with a group of teens? Or maybe you are the teenager who has been part of a failed attempt at discussion. Either way, being in a room filled with awkward silences and blank stares is not fun for anyone.  Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/how-do-you-start-meaningful-conversations-teens Mon, 07 Mar 2016 14:11:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/available-and-intentional Available Austin Burke https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/available-and-intentional Mon, 22 Feb 2016 13:26:29 +0000